silk-stocking

1 of 2

adjective

silk-stock·​ing ˈsilk-ˈstä-kiŋ How to pronounce silk-stocking (audio)
1
: aristocratic, wealthy
a silk-stocking district
a silk-stocking law firm
2
: fashionably dressed
a silk-stocking audience
3
: of or relating to the American Federalist party

silk stocking

2 of 2

noun

1
: an aristocratic or wealthy person
2
: a fashionably dressed person
3

Examples of silk-stocking in a Sentence

Adjective the luxurious resort caters exclusively to a silk-stocking clientele detectives assigned to investigate crimes among the silk-stocking types found on the city's gold coast Noun made her reputation as an interior designer for the silk stockings of Nob Hill
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The space, built as the Seventh Regiment Armory in 1861, once housed a National Guard troupe known as the silk-stocking unit, whose members came from some of the city’s most influential families (think Vanderbilts and Roosevelts). Barbara Schuler, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2023
Noun
Related Articles Anthony Vaccarello told WWD that the brand’s totally translucent silk stocking extravaganza for fall 2024 was inspired by ideals of fragility, something that surely strikes home for both musicians. Violet Goldstone, WWD, 25 Sep. 2024 Tweed waistcoats, felt hats, and silk stockings abound. Bob Sorokanich, Robb Report, 17 Sep. 2023 The garments hearken to past centuries when the lines between gender were not so fixed, when men wore ruffles and silk stockings and everyone wore wigs and powdered their hair. Robin Givhan, Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2019 Early sales mostly cut into the market for cheaper rayon and cotton stockings, however, giving silk stocking makers time to make the transition. Virginia Postrel, Twin Cities, 1 Nov. 2019 In the 1920s, skirts rose to knee-length, and flappers rolled their silk stockings down to below the knee to flash a bit of skin. Julie Washington, cleveland.com, 17 Sep. 2019 Some women painted their legs to look like silk stockings. Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2019 Your little devil, Love, Frank RALPH: Feb. 8, 1942 Dear John, Why are the Japs like their silk stockings? Jessica Stahl, Washington Post, 3 Jan. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'silk-stocking.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1798, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of silk-stocking was in 1798

Dictionary Entries Near silk-stocking

Cite this Entry

“Silk-stocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silk-stocking. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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